Jurgen Klopp and both think would be signing a top-quality player if they could pull off a mega swap deal for . United are claimed to be considering a stunning swap deal for Watkins, which would see ’s move to become permanent.

Rashford has been since January, notching four assists and two goals in 14 games after being frozen out by Ruben Amorim at his parent club, United. The Red Devils previously valued Rashford at £40million but the 27-year-old could now be used to bring in his England team-mate, according to the .

Amorim is in desperate need of a quality No. 9 and could use Watkins’ to his advantage. Watkins has become frustrated with his lack of game time since January, with preferring Rashford up top.

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The 29-year-old has found himself out of the starting line-up for much of April. But Watkins, who has 16 goals and 13 assists in 50 games this season, is still highly rated by various rival clubs, as well as some big names in English football.

icons - former manager and legendary - have spoken glowingly about him in the past, indirectly giving United the green light to sign him. Gerrard worked with Watkins during his year-long stint in charge of Villa and paid him the ultimate sign of respect by comparing him to one of the best Liverpool strikers this century.

"I picture Ollie Watkins at his best when he's really front-footed, aggressive with that bit between his teeth," said Gerrard.

"He is a lovely player on the eye with the goals he scores and his technical ability. He reminds me in a lot of ways, in terms of his profile and how he goes about it, of a player I played with – Fernando Torres."

Klopp was just as effusive when commenting on Watkins back in 2021, just months after the forward netted a perfect hat-trick in Villa’s 7-2 win over the Reds.

The German said: “Ollie is a really, really talented striker. Obviously the manager knew him from before and it was a really good signing. The whole Brentford attacking line was exceptional in the Championship season before.

"So that suits really well, he's physically strong so he can keep the ball, he can jump high, he is very fast – that's a good package.

"Nobody has to remind me how good he is but how we always try to defend strikers, we try to avoid passes into their area. With him, that's not different than it is to others."

But instead of Liverpool approaching Villa to buy Watkins, he was strongly linked with another top club, , in January. Gerrard’s fellow Liverpool hero recently claimed that Villa offered the Englishman to Arsenal, but the Gunners only bid around £50m for him, which wasn’t deemed sufficient to allow him to leave.

United are keen to offload Rashford permanently in the summer, but there's a chance Villa won't take him - or entertain any swap deal proposals involving the player - despite his upturn in form in 2025. Watkins, meanwhile, admitted he was angry with boss Unai Emery after playing a crucial role in Villa's win over .

He said: “I’m not going to lie – I was fuming I wasn’t playing. I let him know that. He's the manager at the end of the day. I respect his decision. But I'm not one of the players happy to sit on the bench.

"It's something I haven't experienced before, missing out on the biggest stage. You always want to play, especially in the . Me and a few others are disappointed we didn't start the game, but like I said, it's the manager's decision.

“I wanted to be starting in the important games because I've played a big part to get to where we are today. Rather than let it hinder you, you have to use that anger and let it spur you on to prove the manager different."

One thing that could go against United should they continue to pursue Watkins is the fact that Villa remain in the hunt for a Champions League spot next season and look guaranteed to secure European football of some flavour.

United, on the other hand, will have to win the to secure a spot in Europe next season, which could determine whether or not they land some of their priority targets in the summer.

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